Full recount ordered in Portarlington Graiguecullen in Laois
The recount was requested as just 17 votes divide two Fine Gael candidates
A full recount has been called in Portarlington Graiguecullen where just 17 votes divide Fine Gael candidates PJ Kelly and Vivienne Phelan.
The recount was requested by outgoing Cllr PJ Kelly after the tenth count indicated he was trailing Ms Phelan by 17 votes at around 7pm on Monday evening.
Prior to the distribution of the surplus 47 votes of Independent Cllr Aisling Moran, PJ Kelly had led by a mere two votes. He was surprised that there were no non transferable votes in the 47 votes on the tenth count and said there hadn’t been transferable votes in earlier counts as well.
PJ Kelly is looking to retain his seat on the council in the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District which early on had looked like it would return the same six councillors.
However, Ms Phelan has attracted more transfers in the last six counts in Portarlington Graiguecullen.
She began with 806 first preference votes to PJ Kelly’s 997 and was 17 votes ahead with 1,257 to 1,240 on the tenth count having secured far more transfers than PJ Kelly.